Automatic slide closure for leather cases and similar articles



Nov. 9, 1954 J. KLEIN AUTOMATIC SLIDE CLOSURE FOR LEATHER CASES AND SIMILAR ARTICLES Filed May 17, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. JOSEPH KLEIN KLEIN Nov. 9; 1954 J. 2,693,837

AUTOMATIC SLIDE CLOSURE FOR LEATHER CASES AND SIMILAR ARTICLES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 17, 1952 I INVENTOR. JOSEPH KLEIN United States Patent AUTOMATIC SLIDE CLOSURE FOR LEATHER CASES AND SIMILAR ARTICLES Joseph Klein, New York, N. Y.

Application May 17, 1952, Serial No. 288,388

9 Claims. (Cl. 150-42) This invention relates to closure devices and particularly to new and useful improvements in slide closures for wallets, cases and the like.

It is proposed to provide a case of leather, plastic, or any other suitable material, having a peripherally disposed slide which on being moved upwardly efiects closure of certain folds in the material forming the case and on being moved downwardly forces the folds apart to open the case.

A principal object of the invention is to provide a case having an automatic snap-type closure relying only on the resiliency of the material forming the case to effect closure.

It is a further object to provide a case closure means comprising a peripheral band which effects movement of folds in the material of the case to open and close the case.

For further comprehension of the invention and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of the disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a case embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on lines 2-2 of Fig. 1 showing the case closed.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view corresponding to Fig. 2 showing the top of the case partially closed.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view corresponding to Fig. 2 showing the top of the case partially open.

Fig. 5 is an end view of the case with top fully opened.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a spring insertable in the case of Figs. 1 to S.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modlfication of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a plan sectional view taken on lines 88 of Fig.7.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a modified form of band reinforcing means.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modified form of case with band assembly means.

In the drawings is shown a case comprising two sides 22 formed of sheets of leather or plastic material sewed together by stitches 21 at the ends and stitches 20 at the bottom. It is a unique feature of the invention that the case can be formed from just two pieces of material or even one piece if a suitably cut blank is used. Of course the case can be formed from more than two pieces if so desired. Each of the sides 22 has an extension 25 beyond the stitching 21. The extension 25 has a fold 18 which forms one side of the opening 11 in the top of the case. From the fold 18, the material is pleated with a lower fold 17 and upper fold 16 defining leaves and 14 from the fold 18 outward. The folds form a corrugated lid as shown in Fig. 2. From fold 16 depends the band 13 which surrounds the case and is joined at its ends by stitching 23. At its lower end the band 13 is folded under at 19 to conceal the raw edge of the leather or plastic and to reinforce the band. A U-shaped spring 12 shown best in Fig. 6 is inserted in the case and functions to hold the case in shape and keep open the opening 11.

In Figs. 2 to 5 is shown the case in various stages of opening. In Fig. 2 the case is fully closed with band 13 in its uppermost position. Folds 16 and 18 are aligned 2,693,837 Patented Nov. 9, 1954 and opening 11 is kept closed by pressure exerted by the band 13 on the leaves 14, and 15 and extensions 25. In the partially closed position of Fig. 3, the leaves 14 are extended at right angles to leaves 15. The band 13 is somewhat lowered and forced outward as shown pressing on the leaves 14 causing'them to pivot at folds 17 as the band 13 is moved either up or down. This pivoting action of the leaves 14 causes a snap-action whenever the band 13 is moved up or down and leaves 14 pass the right angle position with respect to leaves 15. As the band 13 is further lowered as shown in Fig. 4 the extensions 25 separate widening the opening 11. With the band 13 in its fully lowered position shown in Fig. 5 the case is fully open at the top and held open by the action and presence of spring 12. A one piece assembly has been shown for each side 22, leaves 15 and 14 and band 13. One or more of these members could be formed of a separate piece of material with the several pieces stitched together in a manner well known in the art. If desired the leaves, particularly at the folds can be reinforced with an additional thickness of material as shown by proposed lining 27 of the extensions 25 in Fig. 5. To insure the snap action of closure the leaf 14 should be of stiff material or reinforced with stiff material.

In Fig. 7 a modified form of band 13 is shown having handles 24 formed of stiff material attached to the ends of the band. The handles could be of metal with the ends of band 13 pressed into grooves 26 in thehan dles, or the handles could be made of sheets of leather or plastic material stitched or otherwise fastened to the ends of the band 13.

A finger 28 extends from the lower portion of each side of each handle 24. The fingers extend toward each other but are spaced slightly apart at the ends as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. When the handles 24 are grasped or pressed toward each other the fingers 28 abut one another preventing the band 13' from binding on the sides or ends of the case. A modified arrangement of the finger is shown in Fig. 9 wherein strips 29 extend from one handle to another. This arrangement of handles 24 and strips 29 forms in effect a frame for keeping band 13' in its original shape and preventing binding of the frame on the' case during movement of the band.

An improved form of binding for the edges of band 13 is shown in Fig. 10. Instead of stitching 23, a pair of vertical channel members 30, U-shaped in cross-section, formed of metal are fastened over the edges of the band 13. These members 30 act as finger rests for moving the band 13 up and down. When they are pressed slightly toward each other the sides of band 13 bulge slightly away from the sides of the case allowing free movement of the band. The upper edge of the band 13 may also be partially reinforced by horizontal channel edging members made of metal, composition or any other solid substance. The channel members 30 can be provided with fingers 28 or can be joined by strips 29 as shown in Figs. 7, 8, and 9 to reinforce the band 13 and insure freedom from binding on the sides or ends of the case when the band is moved to open or close the case.

The case constructed as above described may be used as a wallet, cosmetic kit, tobacco pouch, purse, memorandum book case, or for any other purpose requiring a relatively small container conveniently opened and closed and of relatively inexpensive construction.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

toward the bottom of the case, and a rigid device carried by the band to prevent binding thereof.

2. A hollow case having a closure means comprising a plurality of leaves of sheet material joined by folds, said leaves in closed position forming a corrugated lid, at least one of said leaves being of stiff material, a band surrounding the case and joined to the stiff leaf, and a flat U-shaped spring in the case juxtaposed the ends and bottom of the case and engaging the sides thereof.

3. A case in accordance with claim 2 with stiff sheet material attached to all of said leaves reinforcing said leaves and folds.

4. A case comprising a compartment having walls, a plurality of leaves joined by folds to each other and to said walls, and a peripheral band surrounding said case and joined to certain of said leaves, said band being formed with handles extending along the ends of the, case,

5. The case in accordance with claim 4 with fingers attached to the handles and extended towards eachother to prevent binding of the band on the ends of the case.

6. The case in accordance with claim 4 with strips extending from one handle to another inside the band to reinforce the band and keep it in its original shape.

7. A case comprising a compartment having walls, a plurality of leaves joined by folds to each other and to "i said walls, a peripheral band surrounding said case and joined to certain of said leaves, said band being formed from a plurality of flexible sheets joined together at the ends by channel members U- shaped in cross-section.

8. The combination of claim 4 wherein said handles include grooves centrally of their edges to receive the end edges of the band.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said handles include strips at each end extending towards each other,

said strips terminating short of each other.

References, Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,530,214 Stanley Mar. 17, 1925 1,688,699 Gardner, Jr Oct. 23, 1928 1,705,829 Stanley Mar. 19, 1929 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 386,577 Great Britain Jan. 19, 1933 402,534 Great Britain Dec. 7, 1933 170,897 Switzerland Nov. 1, 1934 

